BREVARD’S NEW NATIONAL CHAMPION!

Kaitlin Shiver rocked the clock at the USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals (.93/24.8/6.2) in Tuscaloosa on August 20. The 20-year-old rising sophomore attending the University of Florida on a track and cross-country scholarship had no idea that she became a national champion as she charged through the finishers chute in 2:08:13, more than two minutes ahead of her closest competitor.

“I went up there with the hopes of getting top three in my age group thinking that was a very realistic goal to have throughout summer training, said the 2007 Class 3A 1,600-meter State champion who had also led Satellite High to Class 3A State cross-country titles in both 2005 and 2006. “By the end of the bike I was winning my age group but was second out of transition. I caught the first-placer within the first half mile of the run but was still very unsure if there was someone else ahead of us. Around mile two, a 25-year-old male caught me and we worked off each other for the rest of the run which was awesome!”

Thrilled to have won her age group, it wasn't until much later that she was notified that she would probably be on top of the podium in the overall spot.

“It wasn't until after I got my bag and changed that my mom told me a lady would like to speak with me since I unofficially won overall,” she said.  “I don't think the whole experience has really sunk in yet.”

Showing the graciousness of a true champion, Shiver gave much of the credit for her win to others.

“I am just truly blessed to have such an awesome family who are always very supportive and to have found incredible training partners that pushed me farther than I thought I could ever go.”

HUGE congrats to Kaitlin and Brevard’s other triathletes who competed at Nationals including Palm Bay’s Kenton Harris, 23, 2:13:39 and Tricia Rydson, 36, Melbourne Beach, 2:34:17.

Look for a story on Kaitlin soon in FLORIDA TODAY.

SIX DEGREES

Kevin Bacon - move over!

Your six degrees of separation has nothing on Lance. Yeah, that Lance.

Lottery entries exploded this year as cyclists vied for the right to ride in the same time zone with the seven-time Tour de France champ at this year’s Leadville 100-mile Trail Mountain Bike Race on August 15.

After finishing third in his comeback Tour last month, Mr. Armstrong returned to Colorado to duke it out with Leadville’s defending champ, Dave Weins. Last year, the stay-at-home 44-year-old father of three, who lives in Gunnison, became known as “the guy who beat Lance” after putting two minutes on the LAF Chairman during the final 10 miles to take his sixth victory in 6:45:45.

Chat rooms were abuzz with bets on who would win this year’s suffer-fest.

The out-and-back course which is about 90 percent dirt -- or mud, if conditions warrant -- starts and finishes at 10,200 feet in downtown Leadville and throws Rocky Mountain total elevation changes of about 14,000 feet at the riders, including a seven-mile climb before the 50-mile turnaround point.

In return for their expense and efforts, those finishing in less than nine hours receive a hand-crafted gold belt buckle. (Do cyclists even wear belts with lycra?) Those finishing in less than 12 hours, get silver buckles and all riders grinding under twelve hours receive a special hooded sweatshirt. 

Four of our local boys returned with both silver and sweatshirts in hand. Not an easy task for anyone - especially flatlanders who rarely climb above 250 feet or ride in temperatures below 50 degrees. 

Enormous kudos to Gary Stern, Florida’s fastest in 9:30:48 and place #203; Earl Bradley, 9:38:14, #230; Jason Haney and Marshall Reeves who rode in together in 9:52:13, #286. Pretty amazing when you learn that, although there were 973 finishers, another 475 pulled a DNF. (At left is Stern's amazingly supportive wife, Danielle, and their son - who else? - Lance.)

Stern, the 2008 state road time trial champ and former national mountain bike stud, posted his first-hand account of Saturday’s race, as well as some great photos at

http://spacecoastvelosport.com/index.php?topic=1149.0  We appreciate him allowing us to post it! Scroll down to the second post by ‘fratboy72’ 

And Lance?  Riding the last 35 miles alone (no team, no Johan, no one to fix the flat), he smoked it, setting a new course record of 6:28:50; leaving Weins behind by almost half an hour.

Maybe next year Kevin Bacon will show up.

A RETURN TO ROOTS?

Lance back to tris?  Ironman, even Kona perhaps? (It may shock some of you roadies, but Mr. Armstrong was a kick-ass triathlete first…) J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLQrO0l4gjY

YOU SAY GOODBYE, I SAY HELLO!

Back in the day, the end of the Clermont Sprint Series triathlons pretty much meant the season was about over - save the Great Floridian IM-distance (it was allowed to be called an IM back them) and it’s corresponding half.

With the sport taking off and the possibility of racing a multisport event somewhere in FL on almost any given weekend between mid-April and mid-November, the end of the CFT Series just means ‘so long’ to that series and on to one or more of the many other offerings.

Close to 500 participants said “good-bye” on Aug. 15 to the Series that includes a ¼-mile swim, eight-mile bike and 5K. And, as he had in the first two races, Kevin ‘Thong Boy’ Grogan, Gary Stern photo at left, said hello to the finish line first, taking the race in 45:11 and the overall Series title. He had to share the top spot with his lovely and always appropriately dressed wife, Kimberly, who took the ladies in 49:43.

Local finishers included Heather Anderson, 5^th 30-34, 1:05:34; Danny Barrett, 1^st Fat Tire, 59:06, at left taking a snooze; Cyndi Bergs, 1:14:38; Kathy Bryant, 5^th 45-49, 1:09:04; Erica Clark, 4^th 35-39, 1:06:41; Vanessa Dance, 1:32:09; Brad Dazynski, 2^nd 25-29, 51:45; Cheryl Dean, 1:37:50; Sara Enriquez, 1:37:50; Melissa Evziere, 3^rd Fat Tire, 1:14:31; Michael Evziere, 1:14:50; David Fernandez, 1:05:36; Christ Gaston, 1:04:03; Daryl Gilbert, 1:15:32; Kelly Hunter, 4^th 40-44, 1:05:04; Molly Kirk, 3^rd 45-49, 1:06:42; Nicole Kurschat, 4^th 35-39, 1:05:53; Doug McMahon, 1:21:51; Joan McMahon, 1:11:56; Cheryl McPhillips, 1:20:25; Charles Mora, 1:13:01; David Pool, 59:4; Keith ‘K-Dogg’ Potter, 2^nd 20-24, 53:36; Carol Scott, 1:27:21; Jill Weyer, 1:11:24; Hillary Willison, 1:16:51; Marian Wittman, 4^th 50-54, 1:13:34.

In addition to race hardware, Several locals also returned with OA Series awards (must have completed all races to be eligible)CONGRATS to Heather Anderson, 2nd 30-34 and she raced her mt. bike in the age group; Danny Barrett, 1st Fat Tire; Chris Gaston, 3rd 55-59; Kelly Hunter, 1st 40-44; Molly Kirk, 1st 45-49; David Poole, 2nd 45-49; Keith Potter, 2nd 20-24; Bernie Sher, 1st, 70-74.

NO REDEUX

Congrats to all those who participated in the I Run for Pizza Football Kickoff 5K on the new Viera course on Aug. 15. The race -- which registered about 1,000 walkers and runners -- was the second in the six-race Running Zone Race Series. Since we are running behind on our newsblogging and don't wish to rehash what is already out there, check out these links for photos, results and video:  Results and race photos at Running Zone's newly & nicely designed website www.runningzone.com and Ken Horton video and interviews at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NCcnsYDaXE

We could not resist, however, posting this Barry Jones photo at left. You have to wonder what John Culver was up to back there. From left to right Culver, who was third overall in 16:04; David Kilgore, who took the eventual victory in 15:43 and 2008 Series winner, Chris Rego, who finished second in 15:50.
 

NO NINE THIS TIME

There was no number nine for John Reback this year.

Instead of winning the Loggerhead Triathlon in Jupiter on August 8, the 39-year-old two-time Pineapple Man champ received a hometown shut-down by Sean Jefferson of Palm Beach Gardens. The 27-year-old former professional runner blew through the 3/8-mile ocean swim, 13-mile two-loop bike course and 5K in fifty-six minutes and 12 seconds; leaving Reback to finish first in the 35-39 age group and second overall in 57:47.

Jefferson, a former Oregon Track Club runner, began cross-training as a way to keep fit after suffering a stress fracture last fall. The multisport life seems to be paying off as Loggerhead was Jefferson’s third win out of the six tris he has raced this season.

For the fourth year in a row, Juno Beaches Linda Neary Robb hammered the ladies field. The 45-year-old owner of Running Sports - a Palm Beach running and tri shop - took the victory and 13^th overall in 1:03:14; 2:44 ahead of 29-year-old Jessica Wald who snagged second in 1:06-flat.

Congrats to Brevard County finishers Ed Donner, 2^nd 30-34 and sixth overall, 1:00:40; Tom Hoffman, above left at the 2008 Pineapple Man, 2^nd 55-59, 1:11:20; Amanda Rothery, 1:32:42; Eric Rothery, 1:18:29 and Donald Strickland, 1:40:19.

A PAINFUL TOUR

Jacksonville’s Tour de Pain sounds, well, painful.  And maybe that is part of the attraction that drew close to 1,100 runners to three separate finish lines within a 24-hour period.

On August 7, at 7:30 p.m. athletes competed in a four-miler on Jacksonville Beach. Twelve hours later, they ran a 5K at Bay Meadows and then at 7:30 p.m. on August 8, they had to lay down a mile. Everyone who completed all three events received a special medal and those who had the lowest totals of the three combined races brought home special awards. Overall top three also scored $200, $100 and $50 respectively.

Congrats to local finishers Janice Denard, 51:36/36:02/9:54; Cindy Nicholas, 49:15/34:44/9:16; Roy Nicholas, 47:27/30:53/8:50; Nancy Rowan, above left at the 2008 Retro River Run, also in Jacksonville, 42:19/27:18/7:28; Roger Rowan, 42:19/27:18/7:28.

54 CANDLES = 54K

Congrats and happy 54^th birthday to Matt Mahoney. Check out the novel way he and some of his pals celebrated this year’s big day! http://mattmahoney.net/2009/birthday.html

JUST ANOTHER NOTCH ON THE RACEBELT

Taking the overall win in a triathlon would normally seem like huge news for most amateur triathletes - and it really is. But Ed Donner’s victory at the Scenic 17 Triathlon in Babson, FL on Aug. 2 seems almost ho-hum when stacked against everything else he has accomplished in his short triathlon lifespan.

Consider this: In just three years, the 32-year-old wealth manager from Melbourne has knocked out six Ironman events -- with five of them jammed into 15 months -- including a PR of 10:13 at Coeur d’Alene in June. The IMs were interlaced with five 70.3 events including a 4:33 PR at the 2007 World Championships in Clearwater, where he will be racing again this year one week after finishing IMFL. Oh, and don’t forget the nod from Men’s Fitness as one of the '25 Fittest Guys in America' in 2008.

Nonetheless, Donner’s Scenic 17 win will hold its own as his one hour, three minute and 31 second finish was 4:25 faster than the rest of the field, giving him almost enough time to re-swim the quarter-mile course he had covered during the race in 4:45. While he was third out of the water, Donner turned out the speediest bike split of 37:27, averaging 25mph on the hilly 15-mile course. His 19:38 5K -- also the day’s fastest -- on the rolling run course totally nailed the victory.

Congrats, Ed!

SPEAK SOUTHERN?

After winning spots to the USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals coming up on Aug. 22 in Tuscaloosa, Kaitlin and Ashley Shiver better learn how to speak southern. For example, in AL the word ‘grits’ is pronounced with two syllables and becomes ‘gre-its’. Got it?

The deadly competitive duo smoked their competition at the 18^th annual Huntington’s Disease Triathlon on Aug. 2 in Key Biscayne.  The Olympic-distance event consisting of a .93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and 10K run was a special qualifier for Nationals. (left, Kaitlin and Ashley pose after the 3.6-mile causeway to causeway swim last month.

Kaitlin Shiver blew the women’s field away with a 2:04:49 victory -- 7:54 ahead of second place and fast enough to place ninth overall. The former Satellite High School swimmer and runner posted the fastest women’s swim and run splits of 18:26 and 39:09, respectively; as well as the second fastest female bike slit of 1:05:17, averaging 22.1mph. 

Younger sister, Ashley, is following in her sibling’s run steps as she won the 15-19 age group in 2:15:23; good enough for fourth female overall.

Congrats, y’all!

IT HAS GOT TO BE FALL SOMEWHERE

As we move towards Fall -- at least pleasant temperatures in other states -- we’re seeing more road races peppered on Florida multisport calendars such as Buttar’s 4^th annual Moss Park Forest Run 10K & 5K on August 1 in O-towne.

Both races have been short in past years but Saturday’s 10K times look like that has been corrected. As with Buttar events in the past, the results are once again screwed up and have been posted as ‘preliminary except for overall’ since Saturday.  Photo, left, West Melbourne's John Davis; 1st 30-34.

Hopefully, the following times and places are correct for Brevard finishers: 10K: Sean Black, 3^rd 40-44, 42:20; Steve Chin, 1^st 40-44, 37:32; John Davis, 1^st 30-34, 37:31; Daryl Gilbert, 1:06:24; Tom Grimm, 1^st 60-64, 1:02:50; Martin Isaacs, 3^rd 35-39, 49:41; Matt Mahoney, 2^nd 50-54, 43:52; Rodney Walker, 1:01:08; Robin Weiss, 1:07:15. 5K: Bradley Blair, 28:20; Daniella Bragg, 36:51; Ken Flieder, 3^rd 50-54, 33:25; Teresa Grimm, 43:01; Margarita Martinez, 32:49; Janet McCluskey, 30:45; Michael McCluskey, 28:20; Rose Myers, 36:51; Roger Rouiller, 1^st 70-74, 22:18; Vern Thomas, 1^st 60-64, 29:19.

Congrats to everyone!

MAINE AIR CONDITIONING

As locals sweated it out at Moss Park, Nancy and Rory Rowan found a temporary reprieve from Florida’s own special brand of racing hell as they lined up for the 12^th Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, ME on August 1. Temperatures at the start hovered in the mid-60s.

The race, founded by Olympic gold marathoner, Joan Benoit Samuelson and directed by Boston’s Dave McGillivray, drew more than 6,000 registrants from 16 countries and 43 states. Spurred by a prize purse of  more than $60K -- with $10K each for the overall male and female winner -- it’s no wonder the top 15 finishers averaged less than five minutes per mile over the rolling course that finishes at Portland Head Light, the nation’s first commissioned lighthouse.

Kenya’s Ed Muge, took top honors again this year, with his 4:32/mile average that gave him a 28:04 victory. Top athletes weren’t the only ones to pocket cash, either. Part of the mission of this race is to give back each year to a different Maine-based non-profit youth organization and this year Maine Handicapped Skiing benefitted from a $30K donation.

Cool congrats to Nancy, who finished in 57:31 and Rory, who hit the line in 1:02:27!

Today is the 25^th anniversary of Benoint-Samuelson’s victory at the first ever women’s Olympic marathon. Check out the 1984 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dFgH_vDh6E

A huge and historic THANK YOU to Joanie for changing the face of women’s running and continuing to give back to the community throughout your lifetime!

DOWNEY DOWN ONE

After scoring three consecutive age group wins in the Family Fitness Weekend Sprint Triathlon Series, Rob Downey was taken down on August 1 in Key Largo by good friend but racing nemesis, Bill Troy. Troy, who sat out the first half of the eight-race Series due to injury, showed he was back in form, covering the 600-meter swim, 9-mile bike and 5K in 59:20; good enough for 15^th overall and the 55-59 age group win.

Downey, who is nursing his own injuries, took the unaccustomed age group second in 1:05:12. The final Series race at Cypress Gardens in October may become a tie-breaker between the two men. Downey took the first three wins; both men sat out race number four; Troy won number five and will possible also win six and seven, leaving number eight to determine this season’s victor.

Congrats and good luck to Rob and congrats, also, to Garry Branch, whose 1:07:34 gave him second in the 45-49 age group and Anne Marie Logan who scored a first in the Fat Tire-40+ division with her 1:23:06 finish.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Late congrats to Melbourne’s Pam Maxwell for her 5:04:36 finish at the Vineman 70.3 in wine country (Sonoma County, CA) on July 19. In addition to the several bottles of wine we are hoping she brought home, the 2005 Kona qualifier and finisher also earned a spot to this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater in Nov.  CONGRATS, Pam!